[rianbechtold]

Ok, well, i was looking at reproduction dashes and I've heard the age old thing about them not being correct because of the circles around the speedo being silver. Is anyone POSITIVE that this is wrong!!?? I have seen a few CLAIMED TO BE originals with the silver circles (however, this was claimed). BUT, the most striking evidence came a few eeks back when i went to a show and saw something that stood out. I looked at convertible 1970 SS's and it had the circles painted silver. This struck me as odd because it COULD NOT have been a reproduction dash because of the convertible switch molded into it. Also, i saw a 1970 SS with a rear windshield defroster and it had silver around the cirlces and it had the switch molded into it so it was original. Any ideas?

 

[Rainer]

What you have seen are incorrectly restored original dashes. Although not everyone is convinced, there is compelling evidence (e.g. factory photos, documented low-mileage unrestored cars) indicating that the small circles were not outlined in silver/chrome.

 

[rianbechtold]

Really? Yea, i guess if someone restores it, they'd be tempted to. In fact, I was looking for parts in the Ground Up catalog (i think it's the 2005 one, it says vol XV on the side) and it shows pics of a 70 chevelle SS convertible that has them silver too. Oh well, i like the look with the silver.

 

[Rainer]

One more thing, Ryan, the convertible and rear defogger switches are not actually molded into the dash. They have a diecast bezel which fits into a hole in the dash. It is possible to simply cut a hole in an original or repro dash that didn't have the switch and install the bezel and switch.

 

[rianbechtold]

Really? Oh, ok, i honestly didn't know that, never got close enough to see that. Thanks.

 

[70Z15]

Agree with Rainer about the bezels. Check out the link for a photo from the 70 sales brochure http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/showphoto.php/photo/4037/cat/507/limit/recent

 

[richr]

As Rainer said hole was cut out - had to cut the hole in the reproduction dash for the convertible, made a template from the hole of the dash I removed. Bezel fits in the hole.

Also my orig 70 SS - no chrome on the smaller holes. The reproduction dashes come painted and some restoration services are chroming them or painting them as well.

Rich